Also known as: 堀越二郎
Horikoshi Jirou (22 June 1903 – 11 January 1982) was the main designer of several Japanese war planes, among them the Mitsubishi A5M and its successor, the legendary Mitsubishi A6M Zero; both aircraft were used by the Empire of Japan during World War II.
Horikoshi was also involved in the design of the Zero's intended successors: the Mitsubishi A7M Reppuu carrier fighter and the land-based Mitsubishi J2M Raiden interceptor.
He graduated from (and later became professor in) the University of Tokyo before joining Mitsubishi.
He is also the main subject and main protagonist of the 2013 anime film Kaze Tachinu (The Wind Rises). He is voiced by Anno Hideaki (JP) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (EN).
